Top 20 Bible Verses About Hunting (With Commentary)
Hunting has been a part of human history since ancient times, providing sustenance and survival. The Bible contains references to hunting, illustrating spiritual truths through this familiar activity. Join me as we embark on a journey through Scripture, exploring intriguing Bible verses about hunting, and uncovering profound insights that relate to our spiritual walk and our pursuit of God’s purposes in our lives.
Bible Verses About Hunting
Genesis 27:3
“Now then, take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt game for me,”
In this passage, Isaac sends his son Esau out to hunt game for him. The act of hunting was a common and necessary practice in ancient times for food and resources.
Leviticus 17:13
“And any Israelite or any stranger who sojourns among them who takes in hunting any beast or bird that may be eaten shall pour out its blood and cover it with earth.”
This verse shows the importance of respecting and honoring the life of animals that are hunted for food. The blood is to be poured out and covered with earth as a symbol of reverence.
1 Samuel 26:20
“Now therefore, do not let my blood fall to the earth away from the presence of the Lord, for the king of Israel has come out to seek a single flea like one who hunts a partridge in the mountains.”
David uses the analogy of hunting a partridge in the mountains to describe Saul’s relentless pursuit of him. This verse highlights the skill and effort required in hunting as well as the potential for it to be used as a metaphor for other situations.
Proverbs 12:27
“Whoever is slothful will not roast his game, but the diligent man will get precious wealth.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of diligence in hunting in order to reap the rewards of precious wealth and resources.
Isaiah 18:6
“ They shall all of them be left to the birds of prey of the mountains and to the beasts of the earth. And the birds of prey will summer on them, and all the beasts of the earth will winter on them.”
This verse describes the aftermath of a battle as bodies are left for animals to scavenge and prey upon. Hunting and the concept of hunting prey is used metaphorically to describe the vulnerability and defeat of those who have fallen.
Jeremiah 16:16
“Behold, I am sending for many fishers, declares the Lord, and they shall catch them. And afterward I will send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain and every hill, and out of the clefts of the rocks.”
This verse uses the imagery of both fishing and hunting to describe God’s judgment upon his people for their disobedience.
Amos 3:4
“Does a lion roar in the forest, when he has no prey? Does a young lion cry out from his den, if he has taken nothing?”
This verse references the natural behavior of a lion as a hunter and the correlation between the act of hunting and the reward of obtaining prey.
Matthew 4:18-19
“While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.’”
Jesus uses the metaphor of fishing to call his disciples to follow him and become disciples who bring others to him, like fishermen who catch fish.
Luke 5:6-7
“And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.”
This passage describes the overwhelming success of Simon Peter’s fishing trip after Jesus instructs him to cast his net again. Hunting and fishing were not only necessary for survival but were also a means of livelihood and provision.
John 21:5-6
“So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn.”
This account documents another successful fishing trip for the disciples where they caught an abundance of fish under Jesus’s guidance.
Colossians 2:16
“Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath.”
This verse puts aside the religious practices surrounding food and drink and emphasizes personal freedom and choice in these matters, including the choice to hunt and consume certain kinds of meat.
1 Timothy 4:4-5
“For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.”
Similar to Colossians 2:16, this verse affirms that all that God created is good and can be used for consumption with thanksgiving and blessing.
Revelation 6:2
“And I looked, and behold, a white horse! And its rider had a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering, and to conquer.”
This verse describes the rider of a white horse symbolizing the triumph and victory of Christ in battle, with a bow as a weapon of warfare often used in hunting and pursuit.
Psalm 23:5
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”
Although not directly mentioning hunting, this verse speaks to the provision and abundance of God’s blessings and mercy despite being surrounded by enemies and trials.
Job 12:7-8
“But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you; or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you.”
This verse references the wisdom and knowledge that can be gained from observing and interacting with the natural world, including hunting and fishing.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted…”
This passage speaks to the cyclical nature of life and death, including the hunting and consumption of animals for survival.
Psalm 104:21-22
“The young lions roar for their prey, seeking their food from God. When the sun rises, they steal away and lie down in their dens.”
This verse highlights the reliance of animals on God for provision and emphasizes the natural instinct for hunting and gathering food.
Job 38:39-41
“Do you hunt the prey for the lioness and satisfy the hunger of the lions, when they crouch in their dens or lie in wait in their thicket?”
This passage is part of God’s response to Job asking him rhetorical questions about his knowledge and abilities, including his ability to hunt and provide for the needs of predators and prey alike.
Psalm 50:10-11
“For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.”
This verse asserts God’s sovereignty and ownership over all animals and the natural world, including those hunted and consumed by humans.
Isaiah 11:6-9
“The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox…”
This passage speaks to the ultimate harmony and peace that will be restored in the world, where even predators will no longer need to hunt and consume prey.
What does the bible say About Hunting?
In the Bible, hunting is mentioned in various contexts, primarily in the Old Testament. It is important to note that the Bible does not explicitly condemn or endorse hunting as a recreational activity. Instead, references to hunting are primarily in the context of survival, providing food, and demonstrating strength and skills in battle.
Hunting for Food
Hunting for sustenance is mentioned in several instances throughout the Old Testament. In early societies, hunting was a crucial means of obtaining food, especially in regions where agriculture was not well-developed. Certain characters, like Esau, were skilled hunters and used their abilities to procure food for their families.
Symbolic References
Hunting is sometimes used metaphorically in the Bible to convey spiritual truths. For instance, the image of a hunter pursuing his prey can be used to represent God’s justice or the pursuit of righteousness. On the other hand, references to predatory animals may symbolize the wicked or the enemies of God’s people.
Respect for God’s Creation
While hunting is mentioned as a legitimate means of survival, the Bible also emphasizes the importance of stewardship and respect for God’s creation. It teaches that humans have been given dominion over the animals and the land, but this dominion should be exercised responsibly and with care for the environment and the creatures within it.
Cultural and Historical Context
Understanding the cultural and historical context is essential when interpreting biblical passages about hunting. In ancient times, hunting was a common activity, and the Bible reflects the practices and values of those eras. As society evolved and agriculture became more prevalent, the significance of hunting changed accordingly.
In summary, the Bible does not explicitly endorse or condemn hunting as a recreational activity, but it does acknowledge it as a means of survival and a part of ancient cultures. The underlying principle remains the responsible use of resources and the appreciation of God’s creation.
